Love and friendship

Love and friendship are important themes in the novel Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. Kathy’s relationships with Ruth and Tommy are central to the novel, and they reveal much about the main characters. The theme of love and friendship is connected with the theme of memories and loss.

Ruth and Kathy’s friendship is complex and goes through many ups and downs. Ruth betrays Kathy’s confidence several times and, at one point, Kathy even feels “exhausted” (Chapter 16, 100%) because of the way Ruth treats her. However, Ruth and Kathy achieve closure in the end. Ruth tries to make up for her mistakes and tries to make sure Kathy and Tommy are alright before she dies. 

The relationship between Tommy, Ruth, and Kathy changes over time. The three grow closer t...